226 DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF BEES 
and other western States. In the vicinity of Denver it has 
several times been introduced, only to disappear within a short 
time, apparently being unable to live in the high and dry 
atmosphere of that region. It is more destructive in the warmer 
parts of the country than in the northern sections where the 
season is not so long. 
The adult is an inconspicuous little moth of grayish color, 
quick to take flight on the opening of the hive (Fig. 102). They 
remain secluded duriug the day unless disturbed, but are appar- 
ently very active after 
nightfall. The eggs are 
laid in crevices in or 
about the hive where the 
larvee can readily find 
their way to the combs. 
The insect is very pro- 
lifie and once a weak 
colony becomes infested 
the total destruction of 
the combs may be com- 
pleted in but a short 
period of time. 
Concerning the laying, Paddock? says: 
Fic. 107.—The robber fly. (After Washburn.) 
In the cages where empty comb was supplied, the eggs were always 
laid in cavities and if possible in such cavities as were well protected. Only 
one egg is deposited at a time, though in working over a small piece of 
eomb the eggs may be placed close together, apparently in masses. The 
eggs are always securely glued to their resting place; usually the shell 
will break before the egg is loosened. The number of eggs deposited by 
one female has not been ascertained but moths which had not deposited 
eges were killed and the eggs in their ovaries counted. The average num- 
ber of eggs counted was 1014. The time consumed in laying the full quota 
of eggs varies with the generation, averaging nine days in the first and 
seven days in the second. 
When first hatched the larvee are white and very small. They 
burrow into the combs at once. The larval period is spent in 
1 Observations on the Bee Moth, Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 
vii, No. 2. 
